Last weekend I participated in a plein air class at Irvine Park. That park is beautiful and has many rural areas as well as a zoo, train rides, and pond. This tree was at the edge of the pond and has a wonderful sculptural look. Did I enjoy the day? Noooo, but I didn't hate it as much as the last time I tried plein air painting even though it was cloudy, cold and windy. Where's the warm So Cal weather when you need it? I actually lasted two and a half hours. That's a long time with my short attention span. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out even though it's a lot of green.
I've always been afraid to paint plein air with watercolor because it's harder to cover mistakes but this wasn't painful at all. I may go back and re-paint this tree in oils as some point in the future and try to get more color into it.
Irvine Park
Image Size 12" x 16"
Watercolor
Unframed
The white background/sky breaks up the greens, and I think your leaves are beautifully handled.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting, Nancy. The park sounds like a wonderful place to do plein air painting.
ReplyDeleteThank you Robin and Theresa. Yes, the park is really beautiful and I feel fortunate that we live so close to it.
ReplyDeleteSound that you had a fun trip Nancy! Wonderful painting! love how you wonderfully captured moment and tree!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mikko. It's a pretty incredible tree. I will paint it again in the future.
ReplyDeleteWell, Nancy, I think this is a beauty! I love the darker grasses shaded by the trees and you are right. That trunk is sculptural and so amazing.
ReplyDeleteNancy, love your paintings! Plein air itself is tough for me and you did this in watercolors! Its amazing and I really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...thought I commented but maybe it got lost in the etherworld! This is indeed a lovely tree but your description of the plein aire experience would have had me sitting in the car to sketch it and then to paint it at home! LOL Your painting is so beautiful and the greens so glorious!
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry, your first post did come through but I've been out of town and was very lazy about keeping up with my blogging. I was painting though...
ReplyDeleteAs always, thank you for you wonderful comments. They make my day!
Thank you Prerana. It's nice to hear from you.
The way all the branches have good variety lends to the interest here, very nice!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary. I think I will practice more painting trees. They are effortless for some artists but for me, they always cause great anxiety.
ReplyDelete